Two Mariners named all-state

BOZEMAN — Two Mission Valley Mariners were honored on the Universal Athletic American Legion All-State team in the Class A category last week.

First baseman Jeremiah Crawford and pitcher Nick Crawford, both seniors, were awarded all-state designations on the team, which is selected by Montana’s American Legion coaches on a statewide level.

“That was one of my goals.”

“I’m glad I made it,” Jeremiah Crawford said. “It’s definitely an accomplishment.”

Both Crawfords were also selected to Class A Western all-conference team.

Teammates T.J. Olson and Zeke Webster-Yaqui joined them on that list.

Jeremiah Crawford led the Mariners in home runs (10), runs batted in (75) and slugging percentage (.667) in 63 games this season. He also contributed on the mound with a 3-2 record in 46 2/3 innings.

“Jeremiah led by example all year,” Mariners manager Jami Hanson said of the Plains graduate. “…He was a tough kid to pitch to. He was good at the plate all year.”

Nick Crawford was dominant on the hill for much of the season. In 49 2/3 innings, he collected a 5-2 record with a team-low 1.77 earned run average. The Arlee graduate fanned 78 batters, enough for second on the club.

“I think there are some pretty good pitchers in our conference and in the state and to be considered in the same league as some of those pitchers is kind of an honor,” Nick Crawford said.

“He’s well-deserving of it, Hanson added. “The kid’s got a phenomenal arm and he’s going to do well at the next level.”

Webster-Yaqui held team bests in batting average (.450), hits (86), runs scored (83), stolen bases (38), walks (39) and on-base percentage (.538), all while holding down center field. He only struck out 12 times in 234 plate appearances. Webster-Yaqui collected a 5-3 pitching record in 36 2/3 innings.

“I think the kid’s one heck of an outfielder,” Hanson said. “He’s an offensive threat, and you can put him on the mound and he’s going to do the job. I think he got robbed [by not being named all-state] maybe a little bit, but they only give you five [nominations] for a conference with eight teams.”

Olson, the Mariners primary shortstop, also had an impressive season at the plate. He swung to the tune of a .433 average with four home runs and 61 RBI. The Polson graduate went 3-0 on the mound in 14 1/3 innings of relief work.

Hanson said he would have liked to see a few more of his players get recognition. Utility man Bradley Pichler was one of those.

“He was clutch at the plate all year,” Hanson said. “He was pretty consistent, and I could put him anywhere in the field.”

He also mentioned catcher Alex Killian and third baseman Ryan Pablo as deserving. Both are eligible to be back with the M’s next year.

Olson and Jeremiah Crawford—along with seniors Pichler and Kellen Hoyt—will play baseball at Dawson Community College in Glendive this fall.

Nick Crawford will pitch for Columbia Basin College, a junior college in Pasco, Wash. next season.

Webster-Yaqui and Pablo will be seniors at Ronan. Killian will graduate from Polson in the spring.